Question: What if these walls could talk about the Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk? This is not just a church. It is a tapestry woven with threads of faith and history. The Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk stands as a testament to Hillegom’s enduring spirit.
Originally known as the Sint-Martinuskerk this sacred space has evolved. It mirrors the changing landscape of this Dutch town. Let’s embark on a journey through time right here. We will uncover the layers of history embedded within these stones.
The story begins long before the current structure. The oldest church in Hillegom was dedicated to Martinus van Tours. But it was overtaken by Protestants during the Reformation. Catholics then gathered in simple schuurkerken. As the Catholic community grew a new church became essential in the 19th century.
In 1871 the first Sint-Martinuskerk was built. Architect H.J. van den Brink designed a three-aisled building in the neo-Gothic style. A pastorie and kerkhof were added. A Catholic school and klooster soon followed across Mariastraat.
By 1900 Hillegom flourished. Its bloembollencultuur attracted more residents. Despite the construction of the Sint-Jozefkerk in 1927 the Martinuskerk remained too small. Under Pastoor J.J.A.M. Krook the decision was made to build a new church.
H.P.J. de Vries designed a grand building. However financial constraints forced changes. Parts of the old church were integrated into the new design. The vergroting of the church was put out for tender on March 7 1924. A Leliveld won the bid. The kerkhof was moved to accommodate the expansion.
Construction began swiftly. On March 25th disaster struck. Four workers fell during demolition. The front of the Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk was torn down first. A new transept was constructed. A new priesterkoor followed. The sacristie was built on Mariastraat.
The first stone was laid on July 30 1924. By December 1925 funds ran short. The old tower from 1871 was restored and integrated into the new church. The Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk was completed in the summer of 1926. Bishop Callier consecrated it on October 6th.
The pastorie moved to Huis ter Laan in the 1920s. In 1956 a new pastorie was built next to the Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk. The tower received three new luidklokken. A restoration occurred in 1994.
In the 1990s the Hillegomse parochies merged. The Jozefkerk was closed. The Martinuskerk was renovated. In 2009 it became the Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk.
The Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinusparochie joined the Heilige Willibrordus parochie in 2010. The church became a gemeentelijk monument. Its traditionalist style incorporates Gothic elements. The facade suggests a pseudobasiliek design.
Inside a houten zadeldak covers the space. Stained glass adds color. The neogotische hoofdaltaar dates back to 1882. Changes occurred after the Second Vatican Council. The preekstoel and communiebanken disappeared. In 2009 the interior was adapted again. A glazen wand created a stiltecentrum.
The large orgel was built in 1901. It was renovated in 1960. A smaller orgel stands near the priesterkoor. The Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk has seen many pastoors guide its community. Their names are inscribed on a marble plate.
Today the Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk remains a vital part of Hillegom. It offers solace, beauty and a connection to the past. As you leave take a moment to appreciate the enduring legacy of the Sint-Jozef en Sint-Martinuskerk. It is a landmark that has grown and evolved with the town.